City/County Digest

STAFF REPORTSTHE BALTIMORE SUN

In Baltimore County

Loch Raven dam work to restrict use of watershed

TOWSON - Public use of the Loch Raven Reservoir watershed will be restricted during the rebuilding of the Loch Raven dam, a $30 million project that is expected to start this month and take three years to complete.

The project will bring truck traffic through the watershed during the week, particularly along Loch Raven Drive, between Dulaney Valley and Providence roads. Restrictions will include a ban on parking, cycling, hiking or skating on Loch Raven Drive and adjacent sections of Morgan Hill and Providence roads from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, and restricted recreational use of fire trails. Weekend recreational activities will not be affected.

Workers for the city of Baltimore, which owns the dam, will post signs in the area.

Public schools to observe anniversary of 9/11 attacks

TOWSON - Baltimore County public schools will observe the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with a minute of silence and lessons on themes such as democracy, patriotism, world cultures and community heroes.

In elementary schools, teachers will read age-appropriate statements on the importance of the day to children in grades two through five. Such statements will be read over the public address systems at secondary schools. The statements will conclude with a minute of silence.

Teachers will also offer age-appropriate lessons during social studies periods using the events of Sept. 11 as the focus.

Man held at county jail in fatal stabbing in York

TOWSON - An unidentified man was being held in the county detention center yesterday in connection with a homicide that occurred early Saturday in York, Pa., police reported.

County police said the bloodied suspect was found shortly before 1:30 a.m., walking near an abandoned car spotted on Falls Road in Hunt Valley by a police major on his way to the scene of a fatal accident in nearby Sparks.

The suspect had a knife but offered no resistance when he was stopped and taken into custody, police said. Authorities in York said the man, whose name was not divulged, was wanted in the fatal stabbing less than an hour earlier of York resident Catrell McCanic.

Volunteer fire company to add to Pikesville station

PIKESVILLE - The Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 7:15 tonight to celebrate the construction of an addition to its station at 40 E. Sudbrook Lane.

Made possible by donations from the community, the project - the company's first new construction in 40 years - will make room for the arrival of a recently purchased ladder truck and include refurbishing of the station, which was dedicated in 1963.

The renovated station will be home to the company's fleet of apparatus, including its original, restored 1899 hand pumper, "Old Number 21." Founded in 1897, the Pikesville volunteer company is the second oldest in Baltimore County.

In Baltimore City

Marching Ravens band to celebrate birthday

The Marching Ravens Pep Band will perform at the Marching Ravens' 55th birthday celebration from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Maryland Historical Society's Monument Street Garden.

Children's activities, an appearance by Ravens mascot Poe, and a display of uniforms and photos since the band's inception in 1947 as the Baltimore Colts Marching Band are planned.

The Pep Band is composed of 30 to 40 members of the 350- member musical group, which performed throughout the country even when the city had no football team, in 1951-1952 and from 1984 to 1996.

The city is asking area businesses to help clean up litter along the Middle Branch shore from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 28.

Employees can volunteer time or donate beverages and snacks for the clean up of trash and debris along about eight miles of the shore near where the Gwynns Falls enters the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River.

The city will provide materials and supplies. Information: 410- 361-9310.